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The mines of Tethyamar were very deep, following the long vertical veins of ore that lay beneath the Desertsmouth Mountains. Along these descending ore-veins chains of chambers were constucted that made up the housing, forges, tombs and storage areas of the dwarves of Tethyamar. This design resulted in a far more widespread dwarf hold compared to others of its kind.[4]

Due to Tethyamar's scattered design made the kingdom much harder to defend as enemies could target isolated areas easily. However the dwarves tended to be much more self-reliant and hardy because of the far-flung nature of their home.[4]

In Tethyamar culture it was common for dwarves from many different clans to live and work together. Thus comportment and solidarity as a "Tethyamar dwarf" tended to be more important than bloodlines or heritage.[4]

During this early period, Tethyamar was continually beset by attacks from orcs, hobgoblins and ogres as they carved out their kingdom. Despite their resilience Tethyamar briefly fell to orcs from the Dragonspine Mountains in -88 DR before the dwarves reclaimed their halls in -86 DR. This close defeat caused the Tethyamar dwarves to sponsor the construction of the the fortress-city Rulvadar, to protect against further attacks.[1]

The surviving dwarves of the Iron House fled to the dwarven communities of the Far Hills and Storm Horns of Cormyr. Of the royal family, only the king's youngest son, Ghellin had survived.[6]

In the Year of the Wave (1364 DR) Borlin, blood of Ghellin, mustered a dwarf army, known as the Mithril Legion, to reclaim Tethyamar for the Iron House, but the force was defeated.[8]

Ghellin died in exile, reportedly in the Far Hills, of a wasting disease that resisted all medicinal and clerical cures.[6] With the death of Ghellin, the leadership of the Iron House passed to his twin sons Tasster and Teszter.[9]

Nevertheless, dwarves in the lands around the Sea of Fallen Stars still speak of and work towards the day when “the king shall take his throne again.” [6]